Police are warning elderly people to be vigilant following five burglaries by bogus callers in just three days.

Pensioners have been targeted by a gang which police think is operating in the Spen Valley area. Three elderly people were conned in one day and on one occasion, the bogus officials wore silver identity badges.

Between 11.15am and 11.20am on Saturday, two men called at a bungalow in Nibshaw Lane, Gomersal. They told a woman resident they were from the water board and needed to check the supply. One went to the kitchen, ran the taps and kept her talking. After they left, she found £200 had been taken from the living room sideboard.

The men were described as white, 25-years-old, 5ft 6in to 6ft, with local accents and wearing black pullovers. One was thin built, with black, short hair and wearing a badge and the other had short, straight black hair and wore a silver badge.

Two other Batley homes were entered in the same way on Saturday, by suspects claimed to be checking water or pipes.

In the first, two elderly sisters let three suspects in and a purse and cash together worth £15 were stolen. When the woman became suspicious and pressed the care alarm round her neck, the men left. They were described as white, in their early 20s, wearing dark clothing.

In the second incident, an elderly woman let two men in and they stole £150 from a sideboard. One was described as white, 5ft 8in, of medium build, with short, straight black hair brushed to the side, wearing dark clothing, casually dressed with a smart appearance and aged 28. The second man was white, 5ft 6in, of slim build, 26 or 27-years-old, with short, straight light coloured hair brushed back and wearing a beige top.

On Thursday a 69-year-old Birstall man was tricked by three men who threatened him when he became suspicious and on New Year's Day, a handbag was stolen from another house in Birstall by men who said they had come to fix a boiler.

Sergeant Steve Wogan of Dewsbury police said: "There is every possibility that these crimes are linked or there are a couple of gangs operating in this area.

"Don't let anyone into your house that you don't know. Ask them for a number so you can ring and verify who they are or ring your water supplier. If you have any doubts, ring the police."

Anyone with information is asked to call Dewsbury police on (01924) 431059 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.